If you have not found an item in our catalogues, ask the question to the librarians.
Digital Library
The Digital Library of the National Library of Russia is an open and generally accessible information resource. As of the beginning of 2019, the Digital Library includes over 650,000 scanned copies of books, magazines, newspapers, music publications, graphic materials, maps, plans, atlases, and audio recordings.
Voltaire Library
European cultural heritage is well represented in our collections. Among others, they are particularly rich in French material. One of the most important monuments of the eighteenth-century European culture is the Voltaire Library. The library consists of approximately 7000 volumes, of which one third contains the writer’s notes.
Online Exhibitions
Here you can find a presentation of several exhibitions held at the library. You can see examples of unique, rare and most precious items from the holdings of the National Library of Russia. The exhibitions show materials from the Manuscripts, Rare Books, Maps, Prints, and Russian Books Collections.
Reading Rooms
Access to the Library’s world-famous collections is through our reading rooms. Within the rooms, you can view items from our collections; get assistance from our qualified specialists; access electronic resources including our online catalogues, digital library, remote subscription resources; use our computers and Internet for free. Find details about the opening times and location of the reading rooms of the National Library of Russia as well as information about admission to them.
Tours round the Library
The Library offers a variety of guided tours. General tours includes visits to all places of interest in the Library. You will see how books are stored, get information about the history and architecture of the Library, learn more about its collections and the most famous curators. Visitors also may arrange special tours with focus on the Manuscripts Department, Voltaire's Library, or the Rare Books Department that houses the collections of West European and Russian early printed books, the Petrine collection, Aldine editions and Elzevier volumes.